Planning a wedding or elopement in Forsyth County? The first thing to understand is that obtaining a marriage license and having a legal wedding ceremony are separate steps.
Forsyth County Probate Court issues marriage licenses but does not currently conduct routine wedding ceremonies in its office. Couples must arrange their own authorized officiant and ceremony location unless the county announces a separate special ceremony event.
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How to Apply for a Forsyth County Marriage License
Couples should begin by submitting an application through Forsyth County’s online marriage-license application system.
After submitting the application online, both applicants must appear at the Probate Court Clerk’s Office with:
- The online application confirmation number
- Valid photo identification, such as a driver’s license, passport, or identification card
- Information about the date and location of a previous divorce, when applicable
- An accepted method of payment
Forsyth County states that applicants who were previously divorced do not ordinarily need to bring the final divorce decree. However, they must provide the date of the final decree and the county and state where the divorce was finalized.
Applicants may complete the online form using a personal computer or mobile device. A limited number of public computer terminals are also available in the Probate Court Clerk’s Office.
Review the official Forsyth County marriage-license instructions before visiting.
Forsyth County Probate Court Location and Hours
Marriage licenses are issued at:
Forsyth County Probate Court
100 West Courthouse Square, Suite 008
Cumming, GA 30040
The Probate Court is open:
Monday–Friday
8:30 AM–4:30 PM
Marriage-license applicants are asked to arrive by 4:00 PM to allow enough time to process the application.
Forsyth County Marriage-License Fees
As of September 5, 2026, Forsyth County lists the marriage-license fee as:
- $56 without qualifying premarital counseling
- $16 with the court’s qualifying premarital-counseling certification
The official instructions state that payment may be made by cash, check, or credit/debit card. The card-processing company adds a 4.7% convenience fee to credit and debit card transactions.
Because fees and payment policies may change, review the county’s current marriage-license information before visiting.
Does Forsyth County Offer Courthouse Wedding Ceremonies?
Forsyth County’s current marriage-license information states that the Probate Court does not conduct routine wedding ceremonies in its office. Couples may arrange for an authorized officiant to perform their ceremony elsewhere.
Forsyth County has offered special Valentine’s Day wedding events in previous years. For example, its 2025 event required:
- Forsyth County residency
- Advance registration
- A marriage license obtained before the event deadline
- An assigned ceremony appointment
- A valid photo ID
That event does not establish a year-round courthouse ceremony program. Do not assume that a similar event will be offered on your wedding date unless Forsyth County publishes a new announcement.
Guest and Photography Policies
Because Forsyth County Probate Court does not currently conduct routine in-office wedding ceremonies, it does not publish a guest limit for regular courthouse weddings.
The county’s previous Valentine’s Day event encouraged couples to bring family and guests, but it did not publish a numerical guest limit.
As of September 5, 2026, the official Probate Court information also does not publish a general policy covering:
- Professional wedding photography inside the courthouse
- Cameras or lighting equipment
- Photography during special wedding events
- Interior wedding portraits
Do not assume that professional photography will be permitted inside the courthouse or during a future special event. Photography plans should be based on the couple’s confirmed ceremony location and any access requirements published for that specific event.
Planning Your Forsyth County Wedding Photography
After receiving your marriage license, you can hold a brief legal ceremony with an authorized officiant at a private venue, home, outdoor setting, or another appropriate location.
Depending on your plans, your photography coverage may include:
- Rings, flowers, attire, and other details
- Your legal ceremony
- Family and guest photographs
- Portraits of the two of you
- Additional portraits at another selected location
For ceremony and portrait coverage, explore our Atlanta Elopement Photography Packages. If you only need portraits before or after your legal ceremony, view our Wedding Portrait Photography Options.
Compare Other Georgia Courthouse Options
Considering another nearby courthouse option? Read our Cherokee County courthouse wedding guide or compare Georgia courthouse wedding options.
Ready to discuss your Forsyth County ceremony or portrait plans? Contact Jaimie Dee Photography to tell us about your ceremony, location, and photography ideas.
Information last reviewed September 5, 2026, using Forsyth County Probate Court’s official marriage-license, court, and special-event information.